High school football teams across the region are gearing up for the single-elimination state tournament starting this week. After an intense regular season filled with thrilling matches, local teams are poised to make significant runs in the playoffs.
St. John’s Prep (8-0) earned the top seed in Division 1 after dominating their opponents, including crucial victories against Springfield Central and Catholic Memorial. The Eagles will face No. 16 Framingham (4-3) on Sunday at 13:00. Despite a recent setback against Needham, Framingham had a strong run with four consecutive wins. However, they will face a formidable challenge against a St. John’s team that has showcased a powerful defense, including a shutout against BC High and allowing only eight points against Marshfield.
In Division 4, Marblehead (6-2) enters the postseason as the No. 6 seed after an unexpected loss to Danvers. They will host No. 11 Shepherd Hill Regional, which finished the regular season with a record of 7-1. Notably, Shepherd Hill’s only defeat was to Marblehead earlier in the season with a final score of 35-22. The Magicians will rely on their dual-threat quarterback Finn Gallup and running back Breydan Callahan to advance further in the tournament.
The Division 5 bracket presents a tough matchup for No. 8 St. Mary’s (5-3) as they prepare to welcome No. 9 Greater Lawrence Tech (6-2) to Manning Field on Friday at 18:00. After a series of three losses, the Spartans have rebounded with three consecutive wins, setting the stage for an exciting clash. St. Mary’s Rowan Merryman has been instrumental in their success, scoring two touchdowns in their regular-season finale against Old Rochester.
In Division 6, Bishop Fenwick (4-4) earned the No. 7 seed and will host No. 10 Medway (5-3). Fenwick’s offense has been dynamic, led by quarterback Andrew Kiricopoles, who has thrown for 1,633 yards this season, along with running back Dylan Patturelli and receiver Jamie Dube.
Meanwhile, No. 11 Winthrop (3-5) faces a challenging road game against No. 6 Stoneham (6-2). After a rough start to the season, Winthrop has found their footing with recent victories over Salem and Gloucester.
In Division 8, two Lynn teams are set to compete for state glory: No. 9 KIPP (3-5) and No. 11 Lynn Tech (4-3). KIPP aims to maintain their momentum following a decisive 35-point victory over Lowell Catholic. They will contend with the undefeated No. 8 Frontier Regional (8-0), whose defense has been stellar, allowing single-digit scores in six out of eight games. Lynn Tech is set to take on No. 6 Bourne (6-2), facing a Canalmen team that has struggled recently.
Several schools, including Lynn English (6-2), Lynn Classical (3-5), Saugus (1-7), Peabody (0-8), and Lynnfield (2-6), did not qualify for the postseason, marking a bittersweet end to their seasons.
As the state tournament kicks off, local high school teams are ready to showcase their talents and determination on the big stage. The excitement surrounding these matchups promises to deliver thrilling moments for players and fans alike.
